What is CASAA and Why It Matters to You

 

Have you ever found yourself upset at laws that lump smoking and vaping together? Do you feel that vaping has helped you to quit smoking, and that it can be beneficial as a smoking cessation aid? Do you wish there was something you could do, or a way for your voice to be heard? If the changing of laws that surround legal vaping areas and e-juice flavors have you wishing you could do something to speak up and make a difference, CASAA has your back.

 

What Exactly is CASAA?

 

While the acronym looks a little like NASA, CASAA isn’t about to launch a vape into space. CASAA, or the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association, is a non-profit organization with an all-volunteer board. This is a consumer group, not a trade organization, so they represent individual vapers, not the companies that sell to them. They’re dedicated to ensuring that reduced harm alternatives to smoking are available as well as providing smokers and non-smokers access to honest information surrounding the alternatives, allowing them to make their own informed choices.

 

What Does this Mean for Me?

 

In addition to providing information, CASAA also works to give vape users a voice in the formation of laws and regulation regarding vape use. If you are a vaper who would like to ensure your rights are not taken away, CASAA is an excellent place to start. With laws for vape use more and more often being lumped together with smoking laws, it can be difficult for those trying to make the transition from smoking to vaping as a reduced harm option. CASAA works to ensure that these rights are not taken away through advocacy and education.

 

How Do I Get Involved?

 

CASAA provides a list of five things that people can do today to help save vaping. The first is to send a message showing your support for a change to the 2007 “predicate date,” which could have detrimental effects on the vaping industry. The second step is to join CASAA - it’s super easy to sign up, it’s free, and it ensures that you will be up to date on all information and opportunities to help save reduced harm alternatives to smoking. Third, register to vote. It seems so simple, but being able to vote ensures that you have a say in who is elected to government positions. Electing officials who support vaping provides reduced harm alternatives a direct voice in government.

 

Finally, share your story. Are you a past smoker who found success with your smoking cessation through vaping? CASAA wants to hear about it. Submit your story to CASAA’s Testimonial Project to inspire others and shed light on the positive effects vaping has had on you. The final way to show your support is to donate to CASAA. Every donation goes towards CASAA’s call to action, efforts to meet with regulators and lawmakers, and their overall operations. Their all-volunteer board ensures that your donation goes directly to real advocacy.

 

With New York and now San Francisco among many localities making news with regard to vape laws and regulations, it can be a scary times for vape users, especially those using vapes as a reduced harm alternative to cigarettes. CASAA is working to ensure individuals have access to reduced harm alternatives, factual information to make their own decisions, and that the voices of those impacted are heard. If you want your voice to be heard, CASAA is willing to listen. Know your rights, but more importantly, stand up for what you believe in, and help support the access to reduced harm alternatives to smoking.